Thanks for the coverage, I think?

The Sunday, March 7 issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune had a story about the new Polaris EV. The story entitled, “Can Green Be Gold?” ran as an “exclusive” in the Sunday edition. I enjoyed some of the off-road-focused article and thought the author – David Phelps – did a good job of interviewing multiple sources and gaining feedback from Polaris about its new electric vehicle, but thought it was still too unbalanced.

Before I go on, I must say the Star Tribune has been less than kind to ATVs in recent years and has featured many one-sided stories (at least that’s my take) against the operation of OHVs. Many articles have focused on their alleged destruction of the environment, noise and even injuries and death. I was pleased to see the paper see the new EV as a positive business story, but displeased with so much focus on noise and the environment. And yet nothing concrete was mentioned about electric vehicles and their impact on our future environment. Nor how much of the environment it takes to build one/dispose of one compared to a normal gas-powered machine. In addition, what about the EV’s potential for indoor use (as one of my trusted colleagues pointed out)? No mention.

Even the story’s pull quote (which is in bold and as large as the subhead) featured Matthew Norton of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and not someone from the U.S. Military, Polaris or its defense team. He said, “The Quiet is a huge benefit. It will alleviate a lot of the discord that happens when people are forced to live near lots of noisy machines. But it will not alleviate soil disturbance and damage to vegetation.” (Source: Star Tribune)

A better quote would have been from Matt Homan, vice president of the Polaris off-road division, when he said, “You’re saving money on gas and you’re paying for the benefits of stealth and being green.” (Source: Star Tribune)

Here are the other hidden verbal attacks on our current OHVs/ATVs.

The story describes current ATVs as:

Noisy, disruptive to the environment, scary for wildlife (so is man!) and disruptive to herds and multi-acre neighborhoods.

Here’s the most opinionated and unnecessary portion of the story, “Norton added that quiet machines might also allow riders to go places they shouldn’t be, such as private property, without alerting others to their presence.” (Source: Star Tribune)

Action Alert! CPSC to develop rules for SxS’s

Action Alert!  Side by Side owners and enthusiasts need to stand up and be heard.  Now I don’t have a huge interest in (ROVs) Side by Sides but here is a link to a preformed response that will be sent to the Office of the Secretary, CPSC. Personalize the message all you want. The Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) have made it easy to take just a minute or two to voice your opinion.  Follow this link to the Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) Link to personalize your message

SxS debate, CPSC to Regulate ROV Utility Vehicles

ROV (Recreational Offroad Vehicle), Side by Side, SxS – how ever you want to say it you know what I am talking about.  The CPSC is at it again, conjuring up rules and regulations concerning these machines.  I have read the entire CPSC memo and here are my opinions on the bullet points presented in the memo.  The regulations center primarily around the “questionable” stability of these machines, as tested using two tests used to evaluate stability and handling characteristics of automobiles and trucks.lateral stability tests (SSF) static stability factor, vehicle handling test (SAE J266, dealing with under steering and over steering).  The CPSC also made recommendations on passenger retention systems and  as well as  technology to encourage use,  I am assuming they mean starter interlock devices and 4 point harnesses. [Read more]

Your gas can and you, fuel can storage and safety

It may seem somewhat pointless to talk about fuel safety as it relates to ATV’s as most people intend to be careful with storage and dispensing fuel in their ATV.  The shocker might be that most of us (including me from time to time) break some of the simple safety rules when it applies to transportation and storage.

First lets examine the container.  It may become a shocker (it did to me the first time I researched for a better/proper container) that many of the inexpensive containers sold at your local hardware store, discount retailer, or auto parts stores DO NOT meet DOT (Department of Transportation) standards for transportation in any vehicle.  Most containers only conform to current CARB and EPA standards that mostly deal with out gassing and leakage while in storage.  These standards have little to do with the actually quality of the can and it’s ability to store the fuel for extended periods of time.  With storing fuel the key to success (and not wasting money) is keeping the lighter more evaporative elements of the fuel from evaporating.  This is where safety and performance go hand in hand, less evaporation in storage will equal a safer storage of the fuel and performance.

[Read more]

Give me a brake! brake maintenance tips

Did you know that your brake fluid in those fancy, modern, high-tech disc brakes on your machine is a maintenance item?  I bet you also didn’t realize that it needs changing at regular intervals.  In this article I will discuss why its important, my preferred method of flushing and bleeding the brake system, and some other parts to inspect or replace during these processes.

First off this tip is more for the seasoned machine, machines that are at least 1 or 2 years old.  Brake fluid is one of those things that is commonly overlooked on automobiles and certainly on ATVs.  It just sits in the system dutifully doing its job, rarely giving you any warning that its tired and worn out until other more expensive problems (and safety concerns) arise.  Brake fluid has a very short “pot” life, once it has been exposed to the atmosphere is begins to degrade.  Water is naturally attracted to it and saturates is breaking it down and thus making it more corrosive to internal braking components.  Furthermore brake fluid has the tough job of transferring heat from the pads storing it to dissipate it later.  This heat cycling lowers the boiling point over time.  If your hard on your brakes the fluid can actually boil separating it and ultimately degrading any rubber parts such as the insides of the brake hoses.

The safety concern comes in with the brake hoses.  Over time the hoses can collapse inside causing one of two different situations.  First they can collapse after the brake has been applied, preventing the fluid from flowing back to the master cylinder after the brake has been released.  This will cause the calipers to drag or stick “on”.

[Read more]

Lets go racing! Getting geared up.

The second installment in a series all about what the first time racer needs to know before venturing out to his first race.  If you missed the first installment on how to decide what type of racing is for you, read lets get started.

In the interest of the beginning racer is a list starting with the common required gear for nearly any race or event.  The list works down from the most important to the less important as well as optional.  These recommendations are in an attempt to show, while there are obvious costs to riding ATVs, its not much more that what it typically costs to get in to ATV riding alone.

What follows is mandatory gear for riding regardless if your racing, although this is the generally accepted bare minimum by national and locally sanctioned bodies. [Read more]

Off-road Expo ‘Spring Break’ At Pomona Fairplex

Looking for something to do this weekend in Southern California? If so, head to the Pomona Fairplex and experience the 2nd Annual Off-road Expo presented by Toyota. If you’re into quads, trucks, side-by-sides, motorcycles, Hawaiian Tropic models and more, this is the place to be.

For Immediate Release
POMONA, CALIF. — The 2009 Off-Road Expo ‘Spring Break’ presented by Toyota will invade the Fairplex in Pomona Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, with everything off-road including vehicles, thousands of parts and accessories, unbeatable show deals and more. Exciting new activities take center stage including Can-Am ATV demo rides, Hawaiian Tropic Model Search pageants, motorcycle trials stunt shows, and a truck and 4X4 Show & Shine. [Read more]

DragonFire Racing Black Magic Long Travel Suspension System

Introducing Black Magic by DragonFire Racing. DragonFire Racing says it offers the “most state-of-the-art suspension systems in the SxS market.

Black Magic suspension systems feature lightweight chromoly-plated boxed A-arms, 300M axles, and Fox and Elka coil-over shocks. Suspension travel is in excess of 13 inches per kit. This is a direct replacement kit, often utilizing remote rear and front shock towers to provide the proper shock ratios and structural support necessary for the increased travel. [Read more]

Mickey Thompson/KalGard Lubricants SXS Stadium Series

After a successful 2008, The Mickey Thompson/KalGard Lubricants SXS Stadium Series presented by Skin Industries is set to start the first round of the series February 21st at Perris Auto Raceway.
The racing will be headlined with the Stadium Truck class and will also include Side-x-Sides, Prerunners and many more off-road vehicles.

In 2008 action sports stars including Kyle Leduc, Brian Deegan, Mike Metzger, Dan Henderson, Nate Adams, Jeff Matiasevich, Todd Arthur, Chad George, Trenton Briley, Austin Reed and tons more attended and competed in the SXS Stadium Series/Dirt Alliance events. Several of these icons and many others are scheduled to be at the first round. [Read more]

Redline Riot Side-By-Side

FIRST TEST: REDLINE RIOT 750 UTV
Pushing the Sport Envelope

Story by Bill “WBGO” Lanphier

While there are several UTVs to choose from, things have been decidedly lopsided. There are plenty of pure utility and sport/utility UTVs on the market, but, until now, only one pure-sport model, Polaris’ Razr. Now, enter the Riot.
Redline Performance, based in Minnesota, already had a head start on smaller but sporty roll-cage vehicles with its Revolt, a single-seater cosmetically reminiscent of Honda’s discontinued Pilot, and powered by a lightweight, Weber 749cc liquid-cooled four-stroke twin with EFI and a CVT (fully automatic) tranny. A turbo version of this motor is used in a Polaris snowmobile and is claimed to produce 140 horses. Yeow! FOR THE COMPLETE STORY, YOU’LL NEED TO GET THE SPRING 2009 Issue of UTV Magazine.

RIOT Side x Side
Redline TS750
Specifications

Model Name- RIOT
Model Number-1RLSR175FA
Engine-Weber Motors 749cc, liquid-cooled, 4-cycle, parallel twin cylinder, SOHC, 72hp
Chassis-Powder coated tubular space frame w/ 5-point harness
Body-Molded TPO body panels
Lubrication-Dry sump
Oil Capacity-3 qts / 2.84 ltr
Fueling-Port Injected EFI – Walbro EMS
Fuel Capacity-8.5 gal / 32 ltr
Coolant Capacity-1.5 gal / 5.7 ltr
Alternator-350 watt
Starting/Battery-Electric/12V – 30AH
Transmission-Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) w/ Redline Proprietary F/N/R gearbox
Drive-Two-wheel shaft, rear wheel drive
Front Suspension-Double A-arm
10 in (25 cm) Fox Air shocks
18 in (46 cm) of true travel
Optional: 10 in (25 cm) Elka or
Elka Elite coil over shocks
Rear Suspension-Swingarm
10 in (25 cm) Fox Air shocks
16.5 in (42 cm) of true travel
Optional: 10 in (25 cm) Elka or
Elka Elite coil over shocks
Tires – Front/Rear-26 x 8.0 – 12 / 26 x 10.0 – 12
Gauges-Tachometer / Speedometer / Odometer
Wheelbase-84 in / 213 cm
Length/Width/Height-115 in / 68 in / 66 in
292 cm / 173 cm / 168 cm
Dry Weight-1078 lbs / 490 kg
Cargo box -2.8 cu ft / 79.3 L

For more info on the RIOT or the Redline Revolt, visit www.1redline.com or log on to www.atvmagonline.com.

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